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Defense/Military

Beijing Garrison Command Filled by Armed Police Officer Amid Leadership Shake-Up

The position of commander of the Beijing Garrison Command had been vacant for approximately ten months before recent public information indicated that Chen Yuan, formerly commander of the Shanghai Armed Police Contingent, has been appointed to the post. The Beijing Garrison Command is responsible for securing China’s top leadership as well as central Party and state institutions, and it reports directly to the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Chen’s predecessor, Fu Wenhua, was reassigned as deputy commander of the People’s Armed Police in March last year. Fu was widely regarded as a former subordinate of CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, who fell from power in January. Analysts note that the extended vacancy and the timing of Chen’s appointment coincided with the period leading up to Zhang’s removal.

Commentators have described Chen’s appointment as unusual, given that he comes from the People’s Armed Police rather than the People’s Liberation Army. They argue that this may reflect an effort by Xi Jinping to distance key internal security positions from military networks associated with figures such as Zhang Youxia or Miao Hua.

{Editor’s Note: Unverified rumors had been widely circulating online that the death of former Premier Li Keqiang in Shanghai was out of Xi’s order; Chen Yuan and Shanghai Armed Police were allegedly involved in it.}

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), February 7, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202602070147.aspx

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military

Theoretical, Strategic, and Operational Foundations of Intelligentized Warfare

People’s Daily republished an article from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily examining how victory can be achieved in informationized and intelligentized warfare through advances in military theory, strategic planning, and operational innovation.

The article argues that advanced military theory is a fundamental source of combat power and must integrate modern scientific disciplines while continuously evolving through practical testing and iterative refinement.

It emphasizes the need for forward-looking, technology-driven strategic planning that moves beyond reacting to conflict toward actively shaping future warfare. This approach includes anticipating disruptive technologies, prioritizing emerging strategic domains—such as cyberspace, outer space, the deep sea, and polar regions—and adopting flexible, adaptive planning frameworks to manage uncertainty.

Finally, the article highlights the importance of innovating operational concepts and tactics to translate technological advantages into battlefield dominance. Key themes include treating data, algorithms, networks, and intelligence as decisive combat factors; redesigning command-and-control processes for greater speed and adaptability; and promoting cross-domain integration to achieve agile, system-level combat effectiveness.

Source: People’s Daily, January 27, 2026
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0127/c1011-40653648.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Information/Technology

PLA Daily Commentary Casts Zhang Youxia as a Political Enemy and Calls on the Military to Pledge Loyalty to Xi Jinping

Following Beijing’s announcement on January 24 of the downfall of Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Chief of Staff Liu Zhenli, the Chinese military remained notably silent in publicly expressing support for the decision.

On January 31, PLA Daily published a commentary on the case. While framed on the surface as an anti-corruption article, the piece was laden with strong political messaging. Below are excerpts from People’s Daily, which republished the commentary, along with key interpretations.

The article characterizes the cases of Zhang and Liu not merely as corruption cases, but as political cases, signaling that they are viewed as antagonistic enemies of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), rather than as participants in a non-antagonistic internal disciplinary violation, which corruption cases typically represent. It states:

“This decision to place Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli under case filing, review, and investigation is … a resolute struggle to eliminate major political hidden dangers.”
“They will ultimately be forever nailed to the pillar of shame in history.”

Editor’s Note: “Nailed to the pillar of shame in history” (钉在历史的耻辱柱上) is a particularly severe CCP expression, typically reserved for figures deemed politically hostile or fundamentally opposed to the Party.

The commentary also signals a broader purge of individuals connected to Zhang and Liu:

“Resolutely investigating and punishing Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli is of great significance for pushing the people’s armed forces to eradicate the root causes of spreading toxins and to achieve renewal and rebirth.”

Editor’s Note: “Spreading toxins” (流毒) is a CCP term commonly used to describe the lingering influence of a disgraced leader and the networks or factions associated with them.

The article further warns military personnel:

“As for those who show no sense of awe and test the law with their own actions, whoever is involved will be investigated, and however deep the entanglements run will be thoroughly unearthed. Party members and cadres in the military, especially leading cadres, must always harbor a sense of awe, abandon any illusion of luck, and not act without restraint or fail to know when to stop. They must keep firmly in mind the principle that ‘hands must not reach out—once you do, you will surely be caught,’ take the lead in observing discipline and the law, and exercise strict self-discipline.”

The commentary concludes by placing strong emphasis on ideological and political loyalty to Xi Jinping:

“The entire military must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guide, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, fully carry out the political strategy for building the military in the new era, uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the people’s armed forces, deeply grasp the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishes,’ strengthen the ‘Four Consciousnesses,’ bolster the ‘Four Confidences,’ and achieve the ‘Two Upholds,’ implement the responsibility system of the CMC Chairman, and resolutely obey Chairman Xi’s command, be responsible to Chairman Xi, and reassure Chairman Xi.”

Source: People’s Daily, January 31, 2026
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0131/c1011-40656924.html

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Xinhua: Europe Seeks to Showcase Independent Capabilities in NATO Exercises

NATO has launched two major military exercises in Europe—”Operation Arctic Endurance 2026” in the Arctic and “Steadfast Dart 2026” in Central and Western Europe—but their scale, organization, and strategic messaging differ markedly from past routine drills. Rather than serving solely as tests of defensive readiness, these exercises appear shaped by the broader geopolitical environment, particularly growing U.S.–European strategic divergences and shifting priorities within the alliance.

For the first time, the Arctic-focused exercise, initiated by Denmark in Greenland, and the large-scale Steadfast Dart maneuver, led by Germany with participation from around 11 allied nations, reflect a stronger European leadership role and a reduced U.S. presence. According to the article, this signals Europe’s effort to demonstrate its capacity to manage regional security independently, marking a notable departure from NATO’s traditionally U.S.-dominated command structure.

However, Xinhua underscores significant underlying problems. Both exercises were reportedly organized in haste, marked by last-minute planning, equipment incompatibilities, and lower-than-expected participation from some members. Defense experts cited in the article characterize the drills as more symbolic than operationally substantive. These shortcomings, combined with divergent strategic objectives among European allies and constrained resources, point to deeper strains in NATO’s cohesion, interoperability, and overall ability to respond effectively to a major crisis.

Source: Xinhua, January 30, 2029
https://www.news.cn/milpro/20260130/f8323e59166a4dffb6500a11244b1ae5/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Unusual Silence in PLA Follows Arrest of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli

As of January 29, more than five days have passed since Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were brought down, the Chinese military as a whole has issued no public statement of support yet. By contrast, when former Central Military Commission (CMC) vice chairmen Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong fell from power in 2014 and 2015, the military swiftly declared its “support for the central leadership’s decision” the following day.

Multiple sources close to the Chinese military say that officers and soldiers privately questioned whether detaining Zhang and Liu without publicly releasing evidence amounted to a political purge. This has seriously shaken confidence within the ranks in top-level decision-making and sparked strong discontent among personnel across several theater commands.

Military insiders further disclosed that a number of directives issued by the CMC have encountered widespread resistance at the grassroots level, leaving orders effectively unenforced. Among rank-and-file troops, some have even been heard referring to Xi Jinping as “Baozi,” a nickname commonly used by the public to mock him.

{Editor’s Note: Senior officials may fear that a large-scale purge of officers with close ties to Zhang and Liu is inevitable. As a result, even those who publicly express support may not avoid being targeted themselves.}

Source: NTDTV, January 30, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/01/29/a104061477.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military

Beijing Rehearses “Maritime Militia” Strategy Against Taiwan

China has increasingly employed fishing vessels as part of its so-called “maritime militia” strategy, using civilian boats to assert control at sea while creating legal and moral dilemmas for its opponents. In January 2026, Beijing assembled roughly 1,400 Chinese fishing vessels into a floating maritime barrier stretching about 320 kilometers—widely interpreted as a rehearsal for a potential blockade of Taiwan. Similar operations in the past have reportedly involved more than 2,000 vessels arranged in formations exceeding 400 kilometers in length.

Independent media commentator Wen Zhao outlined three tactics of this maritime militia strategy.

Version 1.0:
Chinese fishing boats deliberately crossed other countries’ maritime “red lines,” provoking responses from foreign maritime law-enforcement agencies. When vessels were detained or crews arrested, China’s coast guard intervened under the pretext of defending fishermen’s rights, leading to standoffs, ramming incidents, and water-cannon exchanges. In some cases, naval forces were drawn in, creating a three-layered escalation model—fishing boats, coast guard, then navy. This approach has been used since 2012 in areas such as Scarborough Shoal against the Philippines and tends to be effective against countries with weaker maritime enforcement capabilities.

Version 2.0:
Against stronger maritime enforcers such as Japan, Chinese fishing vessels shifted from symbolic legal presence to active provocation. These boats deliberately cut across or collide with foreign coast guard patrol vessels, especially when Chinese maritime law-enforcement ships are nearby. According to Japanese police, the fishing boats often make sudden turns to block enforcement vessels, and if collisions occur, Chinese operators film and selectively edit footage to support its propaganda narratives against the foreign “bully.”

Version 3.0:
This method involves massing large numbers of fishing vessels into coordinated formations to support a blockade of Taiwan or to obstruct U.S. and Japanese military intervention. These slow-moving, densely packed formations exploit a legal gray zone, as military forces cannot lawfully attack civilian vessels. U.S. think tanks, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), have analyzed such scenarios and suggested countermeasures such as declaring military zone to prevent vessels from coming in, waiting for them to weaken due to fuel constraints, disrupting inter-vessel communications through electronic warfare, transiting the area before formations fully coalesce, or taking a detour route to bypass the formations.

Source: Gan Jing World, January 19, 2026
https://www.ganjingworld.com/video/1i8p0lkkjje6G3cHANsOJdBWk1n51c?playlist_id=1galt8gs0ti1LGq7DHJ5BZQ1q00p

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Different Accounts Surround the Arrest of PLA Senior Leader Zhang Youxia

Following Beijing’s announcement of the detention of Zhang Youxia (张又侠), Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), sharply differing stories about the circumstances of his arrest have circulated online.

Version One: Chinese democracy activist Sheng Xue (盛雪) stated in a social media post—citing sources within China’s political system—that Zhang Youxia and CMC Joint Staff Chief Liu Zhenli were detained over an alleged “failed coup attempt” targeting Xi Jinping. According to her account, the two were planning to move against Xi on the night of January 18, believing he would be staying at Beijing’s Jingxi Hotel. The plan was reportedly exposed about two hours before it was to be executed. After receiving the warning, Xi quietly left the hotel and swiftly arranged countermeasures. Unaware that the plot had been compromised, Zhang’s side allegedly sent advance personnel to the hotel, where an armed confrontation reportedly broke out between the two sides, resulting in casualties. Sheng claimed that Xi then ordered the immediate detention of Zhang and Liu, along with their family members, and that official announcements were released only after the situation had been fully brought under control.

Version Two: Independent political commentator Cai Shenkun (蔡慎坤), who was one of the first people reported Zhang’s arrest, offered a markedly different interpretation, arguing that the detentions were not an emergency response but the culmination of a large-scale, long-planned purge at the highest levels of the CCP. Citing cross-verified information from multiple sources familiar with internal operations, Cai said the action was carefully orchestrated in advance and jointly led by the Central Guard Bureau, the Ministry of Public Security’s special operations units, and senior officials from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. He described the operation as a centrally coordinated “joint action,” rather than a move by any single agency. A defining feature was “neutralizing the perimeter before targeting the core,” in which Zhang’s security staff, aides, and secretaries were replaced ahead of time to sever his access to his power network and real-time information, leaving him no room to react. Cai added that the timing was well calculated and that the overriding objective was absolute security and success. The rapid spread of information, Cai concluded, suggests the operation was broad in scope, with multiple senior military officers reportedly being investigated simultaneously rather than through isolated, sequential actions.

Sources:
1. Epoch Times, January 24, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/1/24/n14683367.htm
2. Yahoo! (Taiwan), January 24, 2026
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/張又俠被抓非臨時決策-蔡慎坤揭內幕-中央警衛局主導-行動早已佈局-042953943.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Government/Politics

China Launches Disciplinary and Legal Investigations Into Senior Military Leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli

Beijing announced on January 24 that Zhang Youxia (张又侠), a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli (刘振立), a CMC member and Chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department, are suspected of serious violations of Party discipline and the law. Following deliberations by the CCP Central Committee, authorities have decided to open formal disciplinary and legal investigations into both officials.

People’s Daily republished a PLA Daily commentary detailing the alleged misconduct. The commentary states that, “As senior Party and military leaders, Zhang and Liu gravely betrayed the trust of the Party Central Committee and the CMC. They seriously undermined and violated the CMC chairman responsibility system, exacerbated political and corruption-related problems that weaken the Party’s absolute leadership over the armed forces, and endangered the party’s governing foundation. Their actions damaged the authority and credibility of the CMC leadership, severely undermined political unity and morale within the armed forces, and inflicted major harm on the military’s political foundations, internal governance, and combat effectiveness. The case has had extremely serious negative consequences for the Party, the state, and the military.”

The “CMC chairman responsibility system” is a fancy term to state that Xi Jinping, the Chairman of the CMC, controls the military. Saying “Zhang and Liu are accused of undermining and violating the CMC chairman responsibility system” would imply that they challenged Xi’s dominance over the military.

Source: People’s Daily, January 24, 2026
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0125/c1001-40652025.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Government/Politics